According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Oshkosh is home to more than 66,000 people. Located 20 miles south of Appleton, Oshkosh is the smallest city in the Green Bay-Appleton-Oshkosh area. The city sits on the shores of Lake Winnebago, giving residents the opportunity to participate in a multitude of watersports and boating activities. Oshkosh has won numerous awards and has ranked on multiple "Best Places" lists; among them, Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live," Businessweek's "Best Places in Wisconsin to Raise Kids" and Kiplinger's "50 Smart Places to Live."
Just over 84 miles northwest of Milwaukee, Oshkosh is definitely close enough to Wisconsin's most populated city and transportation hub for families to plan a daytrip or an overnight adventure.
Originally settled by fur traders, Oshkosh has transitioned over time from a fur-trapping community to a lumber center to a college town. Over time, the city has built a variety of industries, giving Oshkosh a sense of balance and community that can be hard to find in a small city with a large public university. Families enjoy numerous community activities while college students find plentiful avenues of entertainment.
Oshkosh residents enjoy numerous historic buildings and glimpses into the past. Attractions like Grand Opera House, Opera House Square, and Paine Art Center and Gardens give the city a creative vibe, as does the university community. Those who prefer more modern pursuits can shop until they drop at Park Plaza Mall and Prime Outlets, proving that Oshkosh truly is a city for everyone.
The "something for everyone" manifesto doesn't just apply to the city's amenities; Oshkosh's population hails from all walks of life. The University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh enrolls nearly 10,000 students annually, yet 24 percent of households are families with children younger than 18. Senior citizens, too, will find that they feel right at home in Oshkosh: Those older than 60 make up more than 10 percent of the city's population.
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh is the city's main institute of higher learning. This liberal arts public university is part of the University of Wisconsin school system, and provides both educational and employment opportunities. Additionally, Fox Valley Technical College is located 19 miles from the city in Appleton.
Due to its history as an industrial city, Oshkosh offers numerous employment opportunities. In fact, the city's population increases 10 percent during workdays due to commuting. According to the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, the top employers in the city are Oshkosh Corporation, Bemis, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Oshkosh Area School District, Winnebago County, Aurora Medical Center, US Bank, Miles Kimball Company and Affinity - Mercy Medical Center.
According to city-data.com, the cost of living index in Oshkosh is 92.7, which is 7.3 percent less than the U.S. average. This is welcome news for those searching for Oshkosh rentals. Newcomers should be warned, however, that small cities with large colleges often have an abundant amount of rental properties, but have little to no availability. Incoming residents should search for rentals far in advance.
Oshkosh is well-known for its air show, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This much-loved show showcases warplanes, vintage hangars, home-built designs and more. More than 10,000 aircraft come to the area to perform and watch other performers. Crowds enjoy aerobatics, forums, workshops, kids' activities and more.
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